Issuu

TUESDAY 31st MAY, 2022

No. 106739

Progress will not be stalled - President says, laments Opposition Leader’s no-show as immature, unprofessional

Greater opportunities unlocked for rice farmers

SEE PAGE

- with launch of Demerara Bank’s no-collateral loan facility

President, Dr Irfaan Ali in discussion with one of the many rice farmers on the no-collateral business loan under the “Farmers’ Credit Line” (Delano Williams photo)

Shareholder model a Lethem Housing Scheme: $540M Amaila Falls project infrastructure to benefit over possibility for could go back to tender 700 residents – Housing Minister National Oil Company – VP Jagdeo SEE PAGE

SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Amaila Falls project could go back to tender – VP Jagdeo

By Tamica Garnett

CONSTRUCTION for the US$700-million Amaila Falls Hydropower station (AFHP) could possibly go back

to tender, as the current executing company, China Railway Group Limited (CRGL), is having difficulties honouring its commitment to the Build-Own-Operate-

Transfer (BOOT) contract that it signed. The government maintains that it is holding the company to the BOOT bid they submitted. If an amicable ar-

Alexander Village Nursey observed Culture Day

Children and teachers of the Alexander Village Nursery School, recently, celebrated Culture Day, by dressing in the traditional wear of the six ethnic groups of Guyana (Delano Williams photo)

rangement cannot be met, the government is willing to retender the project. This is according to Vice-President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who gave an update on the situation at a press conference on Monday at the Office of the President. The Vice-President explained that the company has requested to change the BOOT contract’s arrangement to an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract. “We have been in discussion since November last year. The negotiations are very difficult. As of April 2022, they are having a hard time doing the BOOT contract and want EPC financing. We’re still trying to get them to meet the commitment that they bid for [but] for the last six months we have been struggling to reach the conclusion; we will have to give a deadline [on negotiations],” Dr Jagdeo related. Under an EPC, CRGL would be responsible for all the engineering, procurement, and construction activities and deliver the completed project to the government within a predefined time and cost. However, that would require the government to source the financing, whereas under the BOOT model the project is financed by the contractor. Dr Jagdeo affirmed, however, that notwithstanding the delay, the government would still

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo be moving forward with the project, albeit with a pushing back of the timeline. “If we can’t get it done under the BOOT, we will not be able to conclude the EPC finance model. We are stuck with the possibility of having to retender. That might be a bit of a setback but on the other hand, we are moving full steam ahead [with doing the project],” Dr Jagdeo said. The AFHP project had been expected to commence construction in 2022 and be completed in 2025, and when completed, add 165 megawatts (MW) of energy to the national grid. Last year, the Ministry of Finance had reported that Cabinet had granted its ‘no-objection’ for the Office of the Prime Minister to engage the CRGL to construct the AFHP, based on the BOOT model. Four companies sub-

mitted proposals, and CRGL was identified as the most’ capable partner’ by the Evaluation Committee, following a rigorous evaluation process. Through the project, the company will supply electricity to Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. at a cost not exceeding US$0.07737 per KWH, and provide the entire equity required by the project and undertake all the associated risks with the project. This follows the publication of a request for proposals by the government in various national newspapers from July to August, 2021. The AFHP was first identified in 1976 by the Canadian company “Monenco’ during an extensive survey of hydroelectric power potential in Guyana. Various studies have since justified and strongly supported the construction of the AFHP.

The artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Progress will not be stalled - President says, laments Opposition Leader’s no-show as immature, unprofessional

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has condemned the unexplained absence of Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. The latter was expected to meet with the Head of State, on Monday, for the second round of consultation. Dr. Ali said Norton has “demonstrated his immaturity” in dealing with important matters when he failed to show up without explanation. The meeting on Monday was expected to include discussions on the appointments of statutory and constitutional bodies, as mandated by the Constitution. However, the opposition leader was a no-show. “These are important national issues and I want them completed in an environment of respect and an environment of dignity because as I have said before, I am pursuing ‘One Guyana.’ It is clear to me that those

aspirations of mine may not be shared by Mister Norton, because he did not have the dignity, the professionalism to even respond orally or in writing to the invitation,” Dr. Ali said in a live facebook message, more than half of an hour after the scheduled meeting time. On May 27, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, invited Norton to continue the consultation at 2:00 PM on May 30. In that letter, which was delivered to Congress Place, the opposition leader was advised that should he be unable to attend, he should send his additional contributions in writing. The President said he has received no such communication from the opposition leader. During the first meeting on May 13, Norton made one request for all the Curriculum Vitaes of the persons put forward for

the various agencies. That information was provided within the time frame committed. “In compliance with the relevant statutory and constitutional provisions, the statute or articles relative to each specific one was identified including the proposed names for each were provided. These include the proposed five names for the Integrity Commission, the proposed name for the Judicial Service Commission, the proposed Chairperson from among the National Assembly’s approved four names of the Police Service Commission, and the proposed three names for the Teaching Service Commission,” Dr. Ali relayed. Dr. Ali explained that due to Guyana’s hosting of the inaugural Agri Forum and Expo on May 19 to 21, he was unable to meet the opposition leader sooner. Hence an invite was sent for another meeting on May 30.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Attorney General Anil Nandlall during a live stream on the President’s official Facebook page “If this is the approach by the leader of the opposition, I have no problem with that. My approach is to move this country

forward, to take our country forward in keeping with the constitutional requirements. We will not have those requirements

held hostage by political objects. It is with great regret that I have to address you on this matter,” he said in the address.

Greater opportunities unlocked for rice farmers - with launch of Demerara Bank’s no-collateral loan facility

Minister of Agriculture Mustapha Zulfikar presenting a disbursement letter to one of the first farmers who received a loan from the Farmers’ Credit Line (Delano Williams photo) By Jared Liddell DEMERARA Bank Limited on Monday launched its no-collateral business loan, the “Farmers’ Credit Line,” which is aimed at pro-

viding better access to funding for rice farmers across the country. The loan amount ranges from $1 million to $1.5 million with a 6.5 per cent interest rate per annum.

It was disclosed that the company has received 193 applications in just under three weeks and has approved 20. President, Dr Irfaan Ali acknowledged the timeliness of the new loan

programme, stating that the initiative would significantly enhance farmers’ ability to boost their productivity and increase the country’s capability to reduce the region’s foodimport bill by 25 per cent by 2025. President Ali commended the bank for this initiative, noting: “Any private sector institution that is looking in a forward way at improving things for a country must be responsive to national development priority, they must exercise responsibility to the people they serve, they must re-engineer the way they do things, they have to re-engineer the way they do things and they must re-energize themselves to meet the changing environment. And I’m very happy to say that Demerara Bank has demonstrated its leadership in every single area that I’ve identified.” President Ali noted

that this new credit line would provide the farmers with the resources to advance their operations and directly supplement the government’s vision of catering to the rising production costs worldwide. Recently, President Ali announced that the government would be purchasing and distributing, free of cost, $1 billion in fertilisers to farmers all across Guyana as a means of absorbing the rising global costs for the commodity and to prevent the charges from being passed on to consumers at the market. The $1 billion will be drawn from the $5 billion the government had set aside in the 2022 national budget to implement measures to ease the high cost of living for citizens, which is caused by the external economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and

Ukraine. Meanwhile, Demerara Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Pravinchandra Dave, stated that the company envisioned the initiative to offset the significant changes in the cost of production for the produce. He noted that the company decided to extend a hand to the farmers to allow them to tremendously improve their production. He noted that as part of the “Farmers’ Credit Line,” initiative, the bank has waived processing fees and commitment fees to widen the door further to allow easier access to the bank’s loan facilities. Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha called the initiative “timely,” as the government continues to invest in rice farming. He noted that the initiative opens a door for opportunity and expansion for local rice farmers. TURN TO PAGE 5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Shareholder model a possibility for National Oil Company - VP Jagdeo says

By Tamica Garnett

AS consideration continues about the possible establishment of a National Oil Company (NOC), the government is deliberating the option of passive ownership, where it owns shares in an exploration company but is not integrally involved in the exploration operations itself. This was explained, on Monday, by the Vice President (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press conference held at the Office of the President. The Vice President noted that the government had not yet determined whether there will be a NOC, but a

Vice President. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

continuous assessment of how that can be done was still being deliberated upon, given the various advantages and disadvantages of such a venture. “The model that we are talking about should we go down this route is not an old-style NOC, but a more passive ownership of shares in companies in exchange for some of the offshore blocks that we have given,” Dr. Jagdeo noted. He added: “We just simply say that we are getting a strategic partner and take a share of the company but not have control over operations or management except control given to shareholders. I’m just saying this for

you to understand what the thinking in the government is at this time [but] no decision has been made. There are a lot of cons and a few pros.” T h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t stressed that the government’s main focus where it concerns the decision of establishing a NOC was about getting the most for the country out of the oil blocks. “The only proof not a traditional style NOC, with more passive form of ownership, is whether we can get more revenue for the country. A modified Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) will give us a greater share of the revenue from oil and

gas activity. Can we do that and get more for the country by virtue of ownership in shares of the company? Those are the variables being explored and once that is done the decision will be made,” Dr. Jagdeo said. With several oil blocks remaining offshore Guyana, the option of Guyana keeping some of the blocks and establishing a NOC has been up for consideration for some time now, with growing interest. Earlier this year, the VP noted that several “large operators” had submitted expressions of interest to partner with the government to establish a NOC. However, the government has been keeping an eye on the public discourse on the situation and has taken note of the various negatives and positives of the multiple models that could be used to establish an NOC. With the setting up of a NOC owned and operated by the government was a highly capital-intensive venture, Dr. Jagdeo noted, that might not be in the country’s best interest at this time. “From our own examination of the situation, we believe that having an old-style model National Oil Company at this stage could present major difficulties for the country. With net zero targets by 2050, it becomes harder to raise money globally for a National Oil Company,” the VP noted. Net-zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. International scientists have reasoned that to prevent the worst climate damages, global net human-caused carbon dioxide emissions need to fall to net-zero by 2050. This is expected to be preceded by a slowdown in oil production going down to 2050. With that being just 28 years away, this limits the number of years that Guyana

has to maximise and get the most of its oil and gas sector at the soonest possible time. Hence, the time it may take to set up a NOC would put too much of an unnecessary pause on Guyana’s exploration, which cannot be afforded at this point. “If we were to vest all of the remaining assets in an NOC that could lead to too much concentration and slow down the process of exploration, which means a much slower process for proving our resources in an era when we have to accelerate the proving of these resources before the world totally decarbonises,” the Vice President reasoned. The Vice President noted that the government welcomes conversations and debates about the establishment of the NOC in addition to other aspects of Guyana’s oil and gas sector and is keenly observing the valid points coming out of these discussions, notwithstanding some amount of mischief in some of the conversation. “There has been quite a bit of debate surrounding this issue, and it’s good that we have that debate. In the debate we are getting a list of concerns that are universally known regarding national oil companies,” Dr. Jagdeo noted. “Questions about the time it takes to develop, about an overload on domestic capabilities and capacity, and the corruption associated with many NOCs around the world are not encouraging. More importantly, from our side, we’ve been adding some additional concerns about NOCs. Not the most obvious ones written about.” He contiuned: “I dont mind people pointing out the negative because we have to address these issues when we make a decision. We are taking these issues seriously. But whilst we welcome that debate we’ve had a lot of crazy things being said.”

May 28, 2022

I 6 7 13 14 15 22 3 30/05/22 - 1 4 9 15 23

30/05/22 - 8 6 4

30/05/22 - 8 1 3

30/05/22 - 2 10 11 12 13 16 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Greater opportunities...

Demerara Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Pravinchandra Dave - (Delano Williams photo) Between January and FROM PAGE 3 “Once farmers have March 2022, Guyana’s easy access to credit fa- thriving rice industry cilities, then they are raked in approximatebetter able to make the ly US$37,022,500, an necessary investment in equivalent of more than their operations; there- G$7.7 billion in export fore this programme is earnings, according to welcome. As Minister of figures provided by the agriculture, I believe this Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Line credit pro- on Friday. gramme will bridge the It was explained that cash-flow gap that many these earnings were deof our farmers experi- rived from the exportaence,” Minister Musta- tion of approximately pha said. 49,304 tonnes of rice He noted that the and rice products during g r o w t h o f G u y a n a ’s the first quarter of 2022. economy provides many I m p o r t a n t l y, e x p o r t opportunities for invest- revenues from rice are ment and trade and agri- expected to grow even culture will remain one more, since many farmof the critical pillars of ers across the country Guyana’s economy, not- are still harvesting paddy ing that the rice sector in from the year’s first rice particular has had a ma- crop, which commenced jor impact on Guyana’s with countrywide sowing economic growth and in November 2021. Gross Domestic Product ON TARGET (GDP). At that time, the Guy-

ana Rice Development Board (GRDB) had projected a bumper harvest, with most of the rice-producing regions being on target with their sowing. National sowing projections for the current crop were pegged at an overall target of 227,240 acres. L a s t y e a r, e v e n with massive floods, the rice industry was still able to remain afloat, earning export revenues totalling GY$42.2 billion, an equivalent of US$201 million, resulting from the exportation of approximately 434,535 tonnes of rice, paddy, and its by-products. In 2021, the industry also benefited from increased markets, as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government successfully secured the British Virgin Islands (BVI), and the European nations of Estonia and Slovenia as lucrative buyers of Guyana’s top-notch rice produce. The country was also able to solidify a standard rice-supply agreement with its sister country, Barbados, to ensure that the island nation has a steady supply of the staple.

CCJ sets today for case management hearing in election petition case

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will, today, hold a case mana g e m e n t c o n f e re n c e (CMC) during which the timeline for the election petition case will be finalised. The case was filed to challenge the Court of Appeal (CoA)’s decision that it has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal of the dismissal of APNU+AFC’s Election Petition 99 of 2020. Attorney-General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are the applicants in the case. Nandlall and Jadgeo have contended that the appeal is a matter of public interest and national importance as it touches and concerns matters related to the 2020 General and Regional Elections. In a 2-1 decision handed down on December 21, 2021, the Kingston-based CoA said it has jurisdiction to entertain an appeal challenging acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s decision to dismiss the said petition, on the grounds of late service, non-service, or improper service. Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings and Justice of Appeal Dawn Greg-

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in downtown Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago ory both agreed that the Court of Appeal has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal that was filed. However, Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud disagreed, as, according to him, the applicants, Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse, had no right to appeal, since there was no final decision by the CJ, who had dismissed the application on January 18, 2021, on the grounds of serious non-compliance. At the time, the matter was before the High Court. He had also ruled that the Full Court of the High Court does not have jurisdiction to entertain the

appeal, and, therefore, ruled that the appeal be dismissed. The initial appeal was filed by APNU’s lawyer, Roysdale Forde and Trinidadian attorney John Jeremie, S.C. Among other things, they had contended that the CJ erred in law, and misdirected herself when she misapplied the doctrine of strict compliance by holding that such compliance is related to the contents of the Affidavit of Service, instead of the filing of the Affidavit of Service in a timely manner. The CCJ is Guyana’s final court of appeal.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Irresponsible Political Tactics GOVERNANCE is a hot topic in national development. Article 13 of Guyana’s constitution provides that the political system must provide opportunities for the active participation of citizens in national matters, especially on those matters that affect their well-being. The parliamentary opposition, as recognised by President Ali, is a major player in advancing governance. Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton was elected to the National Assembly in April. Earlier in May, the first meeting between President Ali and Mr Norton was held at the President’s Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office. In the past, Dr Ali has maintained, since his inau-

gural address to the 12th Parliament, the importance of “partnership” as a key action word mended to effective governance. Dr Ali and Mr Norton issued a joint statement, co-signed by their chief legal representatives on the outcome of that meeting. The arrangement was always of good faith. Importantly, an April 29 letter from Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira, initiated the consultative process between the two leaders, culminating in the May 13 meeting. “At the meeting held today, the Leader of the Opposition clarified that the information that is being requested are the Curriculum Vitae (CVs) available within two days.

It was further agreed that consultations will be guided by the constitution and the in-person consultations will resume on a date to be fixed, but within a week,” the joint statement continued. Appointments to the Integrity, Judicial Service, Police Service and Teaching Service Commissions were top agenda items, with mandated follow-up. Since that time, two significant national events have occurred. Firstly, Guyana hosted the inaugural AgriInvestment Forum & Expo, which was attended by several CARICOM heads of government and stakeholders in the Caribbean’s agricultural sector. Regional food security was the principal objective of the high-level meeting. Im-

mediately after, Guyana observed its 56th Independence Anniversary. Anna Regina hosted the independence flagraising ceremony. President Ali invited Mr Norton, continuing the goodfaith process, to a May 30 meeting. Mr Norton, however, did not attend. The Opposition Leader, President Ali noted in a Facebook video statement, provided no written communication neither indicating nor justifying his absence. He was, however, in receipt of the requested information outlined in the May 13 joint statement. At the beginning of his statement on Monday, Dr Ali keenly noted the time was 14:34hrs on May 30. This timestamping is impor-

tant because it was only at 15:43hrs, more than one hour after the President’s address, that Mr Norton’s office wrote the media on reasons for his absence from the meeting. On Facebook, the PNC’s official page shared the same letter at 15:45hrs. In that letter addressed to Minister Teixeira, with the Opposition Leader’s letterhead affixed, Mr Norton was incensed that the second invitation to consultation happened not “within a week” but instead on May 30. It is an embarrassment and an injustice to the public that Mr Norton would dip so low to pull a putrid explanation as this from the hat of disruption politics to justify the further delay of such important constitutional mat-

ters. To quote Mr Norton’s May 30 letter on the matter directly: “Your letter… was received late in the evening of the 27th day of May 2022. That apart, I am unavailable to accept the aforesaid invitation having regard to certain commitments and pressing schedule.” There is a question of accountability here. At the core of this question is whether Mr Norton is committed to these consultations, or whether he will continue to nit-pick at technicalities to frustrate the process that otherwise started on reasonable grounds. This cannot be a responsible approach to the governance envisioned in the Constitution’s Article 13.

Caribbean Food Insecurity Post-COVID and Ukraine Part 9: ‘Most Successful CARICOM Engagement in 15 Years!’

By Earl Bousquet THE Agri-Investment Forum (held in Guyana from 19 to 21 May), attended by regional Heads of Government and delegations representing Caribbean private farmers and public entities from across the region and beyond, has come in for top praise from a top Caribbean Community (CARICOM) diplomat, who sees it as the region’s most important gathering in the past 15 years. Sir Ron Saunders, a Guyanaborn veteran diplomat who currently serves as Ambassador of Antigua & Barbuda to the Organization of American States (OAS), as well as to the United States (US), says the forum “was arguably the most successful engagement by CARICOM leaders in the last 15 years.” Writing in his May 26th weekly commentary on regional and international affairs that “The Forum was held amidst an enlarging global calamity that combines high prices for oil with shortages and record-high prices for food and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers.” The veteran diplomat recalled that “On the eve of the forum, a joint survey by the CARICOM Secretariat and World Food Programme (WFP) had already sent clearenough warning signals.

The CARICOM-WFP survey had estimated that severe food insecurity in the Caribbean had increased by 72% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. In addition, the World Bank reported that the price of fertilizers had increased by as much as 178% between March 2021 and March 2022. Explaining why he rated the recent forum in Georgetown as he did, Sanders wrote, “For much of the last 15 years, CARICOM governments had ‘paused’ efforts to establish a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).” Another reason, he added, was that “Among the important things that suffered was a 2005 agreement to operationalize a ‘Framework for the Repositioning of Caribbean Agriculture,’ which came to be known as ‘The Jagdeo Initiative’ after Bharat Jagdeo, then President of Guyana, who spearheaded it.” According to Sir Ron, “When the ‘Jagdeo Initiative’ was agreed, but not implemented in 2005, CARICOM’s foodimport bill was US$1.8 billion but at the end of 2021, it was more than US$5 billion.” Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister, Gaston Browne, had also earlier recalled on Opening Day at the forum, “Our

region failed to implement the 2005 ‘Jagdeo Initiative’, and, over the last 17 years, we have suffered for our inaction”. And the same was said by Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister, Keith Rowley, also recalled at the opening ceremony, that “when vaccines were needed by every nation in the world to save lives and control COVID-19, a few rich nations bought and hoarded more than 70% of the vaccine production.” And he warned: “Nobody is going to give us food when it is in short supply. We have to act now, so that next time we would be in a better position.” Ambassador Sanders says the crisis “set the stage for the CARICOM leaders, at the Forum in Guyana, to take action that would upset the status quo and forge a pathway to meaningful integration of CARICOM’s resources.” But, he added, there were “two further ingredients that led to the Forum’s action.” The first was that “a plan existed to tackle food insecurity, introduced at the March 2022 CARICOM heads of government meeting by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali.” Putting the Ali plan in closer focus, he wrote: “In the last two

months with food shortages increasing and prices rising, the plan and its implementation assumed great relevance and urgency and the leaders at the forum seized the moment and agreed on priority areas.” Ambassador Sanders quoted extensively from the Outcome Statement that followed the forum, in which the leaders committed to “tackling food insecurity, removing tariffs on CARICOM goods, and establishing regional transportation to get regionally produced food to every country in the region.” On Food Insecurity, according to the Outcome Statement, President Ali will organize an existing Ministerial Task Force to produce an implementation schedule for Guyana’s current plan for regional food security. R e g a r d i n g t a r i ff s a n d non-tariff barriers imposed on CARICOM products, a Special Committee, headed by Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley will immediately prepare proposals, with time-bound deadlines, for eliminating such

trade barriers. “Should this happen,” Ambassador Sanders wrote, the ‘pause’ on creating a single market might, at last, be released.” However, according to Sir Ron, there was “another reason for the forum’s motivation and success,” which he identified as “the passion of Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali.” The diplomat, who’s seen the cost of inaction between the Jagdeo Initiative and the Ali Plan, noted: “Not only did he have a food plan ready, but he was also fervent in his determination to deliver it. “His enthusiasm infected his colleagues and influenced the forum’s result to produce actionable proposals with firm deadlines for implementation.” Guyana-born Sir Ron is among the best well-placed to make these pertinent observations, having had the good fortune of relating in different capacities to every President of Guyana from Forbes Burnham to Desmond Hoyte, Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo,

Donald Ramotar, David Granger and Irfaan Ali. Based in Washington, Ambassador Sanders served as Antigua & Barbuda’s High Commissioner to the UK in the 1970s and was that country’s candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in 2018. Sir Ron is currently Dean of the Diplomatic Corps at the OAS, and his long tenure in the CARICOM diplomatic service allows him to well recall the ups and downs in regional unity. He says the forum also restored some of the lost faith in the regional project, which is another basis for his very high marks for the Guyana Forum, which he explains this way: “For those who were around in the late 1960s and 1970s when CARIFTA [Caribbean Free Trade Area] was created and CARICOM emerged, the atmosphere and results of the Guyana Forum rekindled a new faith in regionalism – and the hope that fidelity to it will prevail.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Tom Sanzillo’s ignorance of Guyana’s economic context and reality in his mediocre analysis

(Part 11)

PUBLIC DEBT ASSESSMENT Sanzillo made the argument that despite the drawdown from the NRF Fund, Guyana’s public debt is climbing, and he further implies that the public debt levels will reach unsustainable levels. Yet, in his ramblings and so called analysis, Sanzillo failed to demonstrate that he performed any thorough public debt sustainability analysis to support his wild and careless assertions. The below illustration which is an evidenced based analysis on Guyana’s total public debt, contradicts Sanzillo’s uninformed opinion on the state of Guyana’s public debt and debt management framework.

Total public debt stood at US$1.359 billion in 2012 which increased to US$3.127 billion by the end of 2021 representing an increase of 130% over this ten-year period, or an average annual growth rate of 13%. At the same time, real GDP moved from US$4 billion in 2012 to US$8.3 billion by the end of 2021 representing an increase of 115% over this period or an annual average growth rate of 11.5%.

During the period 2012 – 2021 the debt-to-GDP ratio was 34% in 2012 which further decreased below 30% in 2014 and remained below 30% up to 2018. During the period 2018 – 2020, the debt-to-GDP ratio reached its highest of 37%, 52% and 43%, respectively – higher than the period between 2013 – 2017, albeit below the 60% benchmark. However, by the end of 2021 the debt-to-GDP ratio declined from its highest level of 52% in 2019 to 36%. In 2022 the debt-to-GDP ratio is forecast to reduce further from 36% to 28%. This is reflective of prudent debt management coupled with the expansion of the economy driven by the oil economy and the draw down from the NRF thereby reducing the level of borrowing. Moreover, this outturn is indicative of the fiscal space available to support the economy’s aggressive development and expansionary agenda within the framework of a sustainable development model.

Furthermore, an examination of external debt-to-GDP ratio – that is, the foreign denominated public debt exclusive of domestic debt, represented 34% of GDP in 2012, which consistently reduced over the years relative to the growth of GDP, and is now forecasted at 12% of GDP for the fiscal year 2022 based on the projected GDP growth rate of 47% and external borrowings. This is the lowest external debt-to-GDP ratio in eleven years, and among the lowest in Latin America and the Caribbean region, if not the lowest in the world. It is important to note that when performing assessment of the national debt, one cannot look at a single variable in isolation of others, for example, as Sanzillo did in his analysis, he only looked at the growth in national debt. This, however, does not tell the true story on whether the level of public debt is sustainable. The other macroeconomic variables that need to be considered in the analysis are the level of GDP growth, revenue, and debt service ratio. The table below illustrates the level of growth of the abovementioned variables for the period 2011 – 2022(F), eleven years. The result tells a starkly contrasting story to Sanzillo’s.

Having examined the growth of the above indicators for the past eleven years (2012-2022F), though the figures for the fiscal year 2022 are the forecasted figures according to the National Budget, 2022; the average annual growth in total public debt is 15%, external debt 1%, GDP 20%, and revenue 18%. Clearly, the level of growth in revenue and GDP are greater than the average annual growth rates for total public debt and external debt. With this in mind, given the low debt-to-GDP ratio as shown in the previous section, Guyana’s total public debt is well below the minimum sustainable benchmark. For example, the benchmark for the debt-to-GDP ratio is 60% which is considered fiscally sustainable, and this ratio for 2022 is less than 30%. FISCAL DEFICIT Sanzillo contended that the fiscal deficit should be closed according to some IMF report and he religiously used this report in his argument suggesting that the fiscal deficit is an adverse macroeconomic condition for Guyana. However, again, Sanzillo failed to perform any sound analysis on the country’s fiscal deficit position. To this end, in a developing economy context, like Guyana – moderate levels of fiscal deficit is a positive indicator and is necessary provided that it is to finance infrastructure development that will accommodate and boost future growth. This is especially the case for Guyana against the backdrop of Guyana’s immense development needs – where Guyana is considered a highly under-developed country owing to its historic, political and economic challenges. With that in mind, the graph below highlights Guyana’s fiscal deficit position as a percentage of GDP for the period 2012– 2022.

Financial Analyst, Joel Bhagwandin According to the IMF standard, moderate levels of fiscal deficit relative to GDP are in the region of 3%-10% of GDP. Evidently, Guyana’s fiscal deficit position for the period 2012 – 2022(F) is well within this range. For the year 2022 fiscal deficit is forecasted at 3.7% of GDP. The highest fiscal deficit during this period were in the fiscal years 2020 and 2021 of 6.04% and 6.74% respectively, still below the 10% benchmark, and was due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, budgets 2020 and 2021 allocated substantial resources to help cushion the impact and revamp the economy. Therefore, in this situation, this level of fiscal deficit was very necessary and well justified in the circumstance – while remaining, nonetheless, below 10% of GDP. Having said that, if one were to look at countries like the United States, China and India, these countries also are managed on fiscal deficits. In 2020, the United States fiscal deficit stood at 15.2% of GDP, the highest level since 1945, China’s 2022 fiscal deficit is projected at 2.8% and India is projected at 6.9% in 2022, and the United States is projected at 4.2% of GDP for 2022. It is worthwhile to note, too, that the average fiscal deficit for the Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020, even before the crisis, was 9% of GDP, according to an Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) report. Moreover, the median fiscal deficit forecast for the fiscal year 2022 for the Latin America and the Caribbean region is around 4.6% of GDP. Hence, it is important to highlight that Guyana’s fiscal deficit forecast for 2022 is well below the regional average and well within the minimum sustainable benchmark. KEY MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS

The key macroeconomic indicators highlighted in the table above demonstrates a relatively strong and stable macro-economic environment, a prerequisite condition conducive to attract and stimulate increased levels of investments within the economy. CONCLUDING REMARKS The findings of the analysis contained herein quite evidently debunked the contentions put forward by Tom Sanzillo of the IEEFA. Clearly, Sanzillo does not appreciate the need to perform robust evidenced based analyses to inform his opinion. The analysis therein (by Tom Sanzillo) is, therefore, highly misleading. Furthermore, Guyana’s national debt and fiscal deficit positions are at its strongest levels and considered sound from a macroeconomic stability standpoint. In terms of saving oil revenues in the NRF fund for future generation, it is imperative, given Guyana’s economic development needs: the need to accelerate development, that a significant portion of the resource are invested at the very outset. Thus, as production levels are ramped up and development cost recovered, the NRF Fund balance will grow substantially and towards the end of the decade there will be sufficient sums available to save for future generations. At this point, the country needs to invest in the infrastructure development among many other development needs for the future generation as well.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Forty-five police ranks commence foreign languages training

A FOREIGN language training curriculum covering Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin, designed for members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), was launched on Monday, in partnership with the University of Guyana (UG), under the ‘Security Specific Language Programme’. The partnership was launched during a simple ceremony at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown. Forty-five members from the rank of Sergeants to Constables, of the various divisions and sections of the Force, were selected as the first batch of participants to be a part of the programme. The programme aims to enhance the police’s ability to grasp and understand the languages that will be taught from the beginner’s level to a more advanced level. Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities at UG, Dr. Roslin Khan, who was present at the ceremony, explained that the programme is at the same level that is currently being offered at the University of Guyana. The Dean noted that the training would focus primarily on three foreign languages: Spanish, Portuguese and Mandarin. While the courses will

have the same grammar structure as those done at the University, the contents and vocabulary are specialised for law enforcement personnel in Guyana. Dr. Khan further noted that the participants would be assessed throughout the training, and, upon completion, they should be able to read, write and speak in the various languages. Each language course is expected to be eight weeks in duration, with participants attending five days a week for three hours daily, and classes will be conducted by Mr. Gudelio Tabares Sierra (Spanish), Mr. Menga Thomas (Portuguese), and Mr. Zhang Peng (Mandarin). Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Calvin Brutus, who addressed the participants virtually, highlighted the importance of language training in the course of core policing functions of safety and security. He noted that this especially applies to ranks who conduct anti-crime patrols, traffic ranks, and those at the inquiries office, who are the first line on contact with members of the public. Brutus also referred to the increasing number of persons who speak foreign languages that these ranks encounter daily in Guyana.

- GPF, UG partnership aims at specialised law enforcement classes

Force Training Officer, Superintendent Keithon King (seated second from left) flanked by Spanish lecturer, Gudelio Tabares Sierra (at left seated); Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities at UG, Dr. Roslin Khan (seated second from right) along with ranks that commence the foreign languages training at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown

“While the languages being taught will be at a beginner’s level, they will provide the participants with the necessary language skills

to interact with foreigners,” Mr. Brutus said as he further highlighted that once participants are successful in the first phase they will be

afforded the opportunity to move to the next level. “The Guyana Police Force intends to have the successful participants go

on to the intermediary and eventually the advanced level in these foreign language courses,” Brutus added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Boat captain feared dead in Mazaruni River collision

FABIAN Sam, 40, of Jawalla Village in Upper Mazaruni Region Seven, is feared dead after a boat he was captaining crashed into another on Saturday in the Mazaruni River. According to Police Headquarters, Sam operated a 35-foot-long boat powered by a 30-horsepower (HP) outboard engine. A 48-year-old resident captained the other boat (30-foot long with a 15 HP engine) from another village in the Upper Mazaruni Region. Initial inquiries revealed, according to the police, that Fabian Sam was navigating his boat along the Mazaruni River with five occupants. Upon approaching the confluence of the Mazaruni and Kukui Rivers, the light from the boat captained by the 48-year-old man was observed coming head-on from the opposite direction. An occupant in Fabian Sam’s boat, Charles Hernandez, in an attempt to get the other boat to change direction, flashed his torchlight to avoid a collision but to no avail.

The area where the boat collision occurred (GPF photo) “The boats subsequently collided, which resulted in Fabian Sam being thrown overboard, and Charles Hernandez was injured and became unconscious. A search for 40-year-old Fabian Sam proved futile,” police noted in a statement. The injured man,

Charles Hernandez, was transported to the Kamarang Hospital and later transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The 48-year-old captain is in police custody assisting with the investigation, as the search continues.

Man facing domestic violence charge found dead in Leonora lock-up

A 46-year-old man of Fellowship Street, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, who was in custody on an assault/domestic violence

charge allegedly committed on a 42-year-old female, was found dead in his cell at the Leonora Police Station on Monday.

Divisional commander, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine, confirmed this. According to Police Headquarters, Knight was expected to be placed before the court to answer the charges today (Tuesday). Police said the discovery was made around 13:30hrs when a rank made a check at the lock-ups and saw the 46-year-old, who was held in cell number one, hanging motionless. It is suspected that he took his own life.

No significant challenges expected in Georgetown during rainy season – City Engineer

CITY Engineer at Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Colvern Venture, said that he did not foresee any significant challenges in Georgetown, during the May/June rainy season, as all 13 pumps were up and running. The municipality is also being ‘braced’ by the Ministry of Agriculture. “Our guys are on high alert on the waterfront to ensure the pumps are put into operation, as we have high water levels in the drainage channel and to ensure those doors are opened, on time, to get off the water as quickly as possible,” Venture told Guyana Chronicle on Monday. Though very limited in number, engineers attached to the Council would

conduct site visits at the pump stations to ensure that no one was slumbering. “We have limited staff but still, they are going around seeing what areas are clogged and how best they can be cleared as quickly as possible to alleviate any flooding,” Venture informed. He also shared that the Council was receiving great assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture. When the pumps are down, for instance, the Ministry will assist in getting them rapidly repaired. It has also been helping City Council to clear some of the main drainage channels leading to the outfall. “The constraints of the Council’s finances don’t allow us to make a quick response as we would get

City Engineer Colvern Venture from the Ministry of Agriculture,” Venture acknowledged. His department was also working with the Solid Waste Management Department to help clear the waterways of garbage that residents dump.

Woman awaiting sentencing for cocaine trafficking changes plea to not guilty

FORMER media worker Zanneel Williams, who had pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle 21 pounds of cocaine t h ro u g h t h e C h e d d i Jagan International Airport (CJIA), on Monday, changed her plea to not guilty and was further remanded to prison. On April 25, the 25-year-old Lamaha Gardens resident, ex-officer of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) Anil Sookhoo, 33, of Kuru Sokcho, Soesdyke-Linden Highway and Guyana Revenue

Authority (GRA) officer Shameka Caesar, 27, of D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown were hauled before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond-Grove Magistrate’s Court. They were jointly charged for allegedly trafficking 9.628 kilograms of cocaine on April 22, 2022, at the airport. Williams deciding not to waste the court’s time, pleaded guilty, while Sookhoo and Caesar denied the allegation. Williams was later re-

manded to prison pending sentencing. Her co-accused were released on $750,000 bail each. O n M o n d a y, w h e n Williams made her court appearance, Magistrate Scarce re-read the charge to her and she pleaded not guilty. Given the seriousness of the charge, the Magistrate did not grant Williams bail. All parties in the case will return to court on June 27, for disclosure. According to a CANU release, Williams was an outgoing passenger des-

tined for the United States, when she was intercepted at the CJIA with 7.962 kilograms of cocaine concealed in fake walls of her carry-on bag. She was immediately arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters, where an additional 1.666 kilograms of cocaine was found strapped to her body. In total, the narcotics have a street value of over G$5 million. Further investigations led to the arrest of Sookhoo and Caesar.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Ex-media worker Zanneel Williams

Lethem Housing Scheme: $540M infrastructure to benefit over 700 residents – Housing Minister

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and Mayor John Macedo (second from right), along with contractors, at the new Lethem Track ‘A’ Housing Scheme MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said that infrastructural works, valued at $540M, that will benefit more than 700 residents, were progressing as planned, at the new Lethem Track ‘A’ Housing Scheme (Poke Bridge) in Region Nine. On Monday, he visited the area along with the contractors and Mayor John Macedo. According to the Housing Ministry, the ongoing works include

access roads, drainage and culverts. The Minister noted his satisfaction with the pace at which works were progressing despite the minor setbacks resulting from the current rainy season. He added that the development was welcomed since the town of Lethem had been starved of housing development for several years. Upon completion of the scheme, more than 700 residential lands will

be available for allocation. More than 350 persons have already been allocated and have begun processing their ownership documents. “We are proud of this development and it has a lot of potential. In addition, this scheme is more than sufficient to meet the housing demand in this region,” Minister Croal noted. “If all goes according to plan, allottees will be able to commence construction by the end of this year.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

More family-based care needed over institutional care - Childcare Director in a movie day at the MovieTowne Cinema, organized by the Childcare and Protection Agency. The activity was intended to promote healthy bonding between foster parents and foster children and recognise their efforts. Minister Persaud believes that children are blessings from God— little souls who need to be cherished, nurtured, and guided in the right direction. With the proper parental attention and control, they can grow

Human Services Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, addresses foster care parents and children as part of the month’s activities ACCORDING to Childcare Director Ann Greene, while institutions to care for children might be lifesavers in many cases, they are not places that children should remain for an extended period. For this reason, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, through its Childcare and Protection Agency – led by Greene – wants to send the message that family-based care is better than institutional care. With Foster Care Month coming to an end today (May 31), the Agency will be looking to see how many more persons will come forward to be foster parents, banking on hopes that their many awareness activities during the month would have yielded some fruit. “The whole purpose of the month is to honour the foster parents and to

raise awareness. You have to be special to be a foster parent; you’re taking in people’s children and then you have to care for them just like your own,” Greene told Guyana Chronicle on Monday. She stressed that foster care is only temporary care. The ultimate goal was for the child to be reunited with his/her family. However, there are also occasions when, due to extenuating circumstances, Childcare officers would be forced to remove a child from his/her biological family and place him/her in institutional care. During the month to observe foster care, Greene said the officers spared no effort in saying that foster care existed in Guyana and that there were children in institutional care who needed a family. “We’d like to have more foster parents because we

have children in the institutions who are in need. Institutions are life savers for children but it’s no place that a child should stay long; children are entitled to family-based care,” she stated. “The officers are still looking to get buy in from the community. At the end of the month, we will look and see if persons are coming in to be foster parents after all the awareness we’ve done,” Greene continued, as she noted how foster care can sometimes turn into adoption, which forms part of the permanency plan for assisting the child. During the month, subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, spent time honouring foster care parents, and even arranging for the longserving ones to be rewarded in some way. Minister Persaud joined approximately 200 foster children and foster parents

Childcare Director Ann Greene during training of family services officers on Monday

up to lead productive lives and make rich contributions to their families and country. Meanwhile, Greene, on Monday, conducted a special training with a relatively new set of family services officers who are specialised in family support services. “When families break down, ‘Social Services’ have to step in, but we have to work towards preventing such family break down,” she explained.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Man on the run after allegedly murdering co-worker

A 29-year-old Wakenaam resident who had intervened in an argument, was, on Saturday afternoon, allegedly shot and killed by a co-worker. Police, in a press release, identified the victim as Rohit Hansraj called “Master” and said the incident occurred at about 14:00hrs at Tiger

Creek, Essequibo River. The suspect, according to the police, is a 35-yearold resident of Alikie, Essequibo River. The suspect and deceased both worked for Toolsie Persaud Logging Company as Operators in the Tiger Creek area. According to the release, the deceased and

two other workers were consuming alcohol when the suspect approached one of the other workers and accused him of “looking” at his wife. “Rohit Hansraj intervened and managed to get the suspect to return to his cabin. The suspect, shortly after, retuned with a shot-

gun to the cabin. Hansraj and the suspect became embroiled in an argument during which the suspect discharged a round from the firearm which struck Hansraj to his upper left shoulder area”, the release added. The suspect then escaped into some nearby bushes with the said firearm. The police were subsequently informed and, upon arrival at scene, the body of the deceased was seen laying face-up, clad in a blue trouser and grey jersey. The body was examined and a gaping wound was seen to the upper left shoulder. The body was escorted to the Bartica Hospital where an official pronouncement of death was given by a doctor. The body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. “Police ranks in the Division are on the look-out for the suspect as investigations continue,” the release said. Meanwhile, Hansraj’s reputed wife, Sheenza Williams, who is pregnant and

had witnessed the incident, is still in shock. The woman told the Guyana Chronicle that she was in the cabin when the suspect rushed up to her husband and reportedly pointed the gun at him. She said her husband thought it was a “joke” and kept telling the suspect to put the gun down. “I saw the point on his shoulders. I screamed and he shot him on his left shoulder and he dropped to the ground. I couldn’t believe it. My husband and him are good but we all thought it was a joke,” Williams said. She said that initially her husband opted not to drink the “High wine” but later decided to take “a shot” in celebration of a co-worker’s birthday. She said that during the “drinking session” the suspect was threatening that he would “chop all of them up.” “We thought it was a joke, but then things got serious and my husband was shot,” Williams added. She said she then made a call to the police station and they visited and saw her husband

Rohit Hansraj on the ground. Further, Hansraj’s sister Rema told this publication that they received a call from Williams informing them of the tragedy. “We are all shocked and we want answers. My brother was a father of two and his wife is currently pregnant. He was working to make his living,” the woman said.

Pensioner found dead in Mandela Avenue trench

Investigators at the scene where the pensioner’s body was found in the Mandela Avenue trench CLIVE Lawrence Primus, 68, of Lot 46 D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was, on Monday, found dead in a trench on Mandela Avenue, within the vicinity of Cevon’s building. According to Police Headquarters, the Operations Room at Brickdam Police Station received a call at 07:30 hours that a body was in a trench along Mandela Avenue. “The trench runs north to south and has weeds about three feet in height. The body was seen in the trench with the face down, clad in a black and red

pants, brown and green stripe jersey. A grey colour bicycle was also in the trench,” police stated in a release. According to the wife of the deceased, she and Primus separated and he was living with his brother at the above-mentioned address. However, she was still communicating with him and he would visit her at her address, and she saw him Friday last. She also indicated that the now-deceased man suffered from seizures and high blood pressure.

“Information received by the Police indicate that Primus left home on Sunday at about 17:00hrs on his bicycle for an unknown location and was never seen or heard from, until his body was found Monday morning,” police noted. The body was processed by a rank attached to the Crime Scene Unit, C.I.D Headquarters, Eve Leary, and no marks of violence were seen. The body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Mortuary, awaiting autopsy as investigations continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Guyana ready to remove all obstacles to development with Barbados

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has said that Guyana is prepared to remove all obstacles impeding development with Barbados. Guyana, by removing those obstacles, would create myriad opportunities for citizens of both nations. The Head of State related his intention, over the weekend, during a site visit to the proposed location for the Guyana-Barbados Food Terminal in Lears, St Michael, Barbados. “I want to assure Prime Minister [Mia] Mottley and the people of Barbados that you have a reliable partner in Guyana. We are ready to remove all impediments to accelerate our plans together, to expand our production together—to expand the opportunities,” President Ali said. He related that the aim of expanding and improving opportunities and cooperation between the two countries is to enhance the livelihoods of citizens of both countries. The Head of State said: “Right after this visit, we are going into a working session to not only look at solutions

but to set timeframes and deadlines. The electorate holds us accountable at the end of a period. We have to hold people accountable too.” President Ali said, too, that he was “nothing short of impressed” with the type of work that had been done so far, especially with the motivating drive of the private sector. He credited that to the type of leadership and aggression that Prime Minister Mottley and her Government demonstrate as it relates to food security. In addition to the food terminal, Barbados was also developing another catchment pond right next to the facility. That project, the President said, provided additional opportunities which include the production of shrimp, tilapia and catfish among other seafood. Dr. Ali said that the technical teams of both countries were working together on bringing young people on board through research and development and science and technology. At the launch of Agro Fest 2022, last Friday in Bar-

bados, the Guyanese Head of State had related that the food terminal will create an international transhipment hub, which would result in food moving from Barbados to other Caribbean islands and even to Miami. DIFFERENT MINDSET REQUIRED The President emphasised that to achieve those progressive results, a different mindset was needed. “If we continue the old mindset we can’t get anywhere. The new mindset requires us to view things differently and this is beyond a Guyana/Barbados initiative… We want to create a model to demonstrate to CARICOM that we can work in the context of CSME,” President Ali said. The President added that for that to happen, Guyana and Barbados have to lead the way in changing “the way we think, the way we relate” as well as making changes on the political and policymaking levels and the public service, bureaucratic and private sector levels. “We can keep talking as a

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, at Barbados’s Agro Fest 2022 people in this region that we can do better, that we can eat local and then we don’t want to participate in the process of eating local. So, all of us have a role and I’m very, very pleased. I think Barbados is developing a model here,” Dr. Ali said.

Prime Minister Mottley also made brief remarks. She said that the food terminal would allow the country to store at least 45 containers and will allow for packing, processing and storage. It was also expected to allow for blast freezing for seafood

production and processing. President Ali was joined by the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and other government representatives.

Jamaica: Restructuring coffee production

Blue Mountain coffee is still a staple in many Japanese cafes. However, even in this primary market, demand is shrinking. Researchers propose expanding the non-Japanese market for a sustainable future (Jamaica Observer) The research paper, Modelling Profitability in the Jamaican Coffee Industry, written by Mario Mighty and Gabriel Granco for the Department of Geography, University of North Alabama, Florence,

in the United States and published in January 2021 outlines the challenges to economic feasibility in the Jamaican coffee industry. They begin by pointing out that production anywhere outside of the Jamaica Blue Mountain (JBM) region is a low-profit undertaking and this continues to drive the concentration of coffee farmers into the JBM region. The researchers propose that, “A producer would need to cultivate at least 25 acres or 10 hectares in the nonBlue Mountain region to achieve the mean GDP [gross domestic product] level in the country [US$5,100] as compared to 1.3 acres or 0.5 hectares in the JBM region in the 2016-2017 coffee year. “However, the results for the 2018-2019 coffee year

paints a grimmer picture. With the sharp decrease in prices paid per box to producers, a farmer would need to cultivate at least 8.7 acres or almost 3.5 hectares in the JBM region.” Mighty and Granco advise that, with losses being incurred with every unit area being cultivated in the nonBlue Mountain region, farmers would need to implement measures to further reduce production costs or increase revenues in order to achieve the nation’s mean GDP level. The authors outline, “The implications of these numbers are clear: In ‘good’ years, when there is limited production and prices rise there is money to be made, but when farmers increase production in response to this, then oversupply results

in lower prices and economic loss. OVERCROWDING Mighty and Granco note, “With the conventional coffee market saturated with coffee for the last several decades and the specialty market becoming ever more crowded, stakeholders in the Jamaican coffee industry may need to consider the best route forward in order to remain economically viable, particularly at the farmer level.” They state that, considering that a significant proportion of the island’s small farmers cultivate less than one hectare of coffee, the attraction to remain in coffee production is likely to continue waning and decreasing the number of stakeholders in the industry.

One possibility, they suggest, may be the creation of production quotas (similar in concept to the international coffee agreements of the 1960s through to the 1980s in the global coffee market). Such a mechanism may include a provision allowing for the suspension of quotas if prices remain high and their reintroduction if prices become too low. Mighty and Granco explain: “This would be useful since most producers lack the ability to process and store their harvest and sell at times when prices are higher. Some producers may consider diversification away from pure coffee production if this crop has become a money-losing venture.” The researchers further TURN TO PAGE 15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Water development projects critical for regional agriculture - President Ali says, commends the Government of Barbados for ‘transformational’ catchment pond

The President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, along with other officials of both nations, watch as Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and his Barbadian counterpart, Indar Weir unveil the plaque for the new Brown’s Catchment Pond (Office of the President photo) PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali emphasised that the building of new infrastructure leads to sustainability, as he commended the Prime Minister of the Republic of Barbados, Mia Mottley and her Government for launching the “transformative” Brown’s Catchment Pond project in St Philip, Barbados, over the weekend. “If we are going to build an agricultural sector that ensures food security and

sustainability with coming water shortages…then these investments are lifetime investments for the farmers. So, this is an investment not only for the farmers today but for the farmers ten years from now, 20 years from now, 30 years from now to ensure that farming becomes sustainable in this community, and I want to say that that vision, that long vision must be transformative,” President Ali said. The Brown’s Catchment Pond will have the ability to store more than six million gallons of stormwater and will allow farmers in the area to have access to water during periods of drought. President Ali said that while massive highways and other large infrastructural projects were considered to be transformative, he was of the opinion that that project was also transformative, especially for the community, since it will secure and enhance livelihoods and give farmers a better shot at sustainable farming. The Head of State said: “It reduces risk, and if a project reduces risk, increases productivity, reduces cost of production, then it has all the components of a transformative project. So, I want to congratulate the Government of Barbados and the people and the farmers of this community for this transformative project that would increase productivity and enhance your ability to

be sustainable.” HIGH INVESTMENT PER CAPITA President Ali also lauded the Barbadian Government for making a high investment per capita in the area. He said: “In the most developed societies, in the most developed farming society, you don’t have that injection from government on a per capita basis. You have to be proud of what the government is doing to advance your life here.” The President added that one of the highest costs in agriculture was drainage and irrigation, and if there was no proper infrastructure, then having sustainable farming practices will be difficult. President Ali also lauded regional leaders for committing themselves to the targets of reducing CARICOM’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 and pointed out that the region’s ministers with responsibility for agriculture were advancing the process. Prime Minister Mottley and her Minister of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Security, Indar Weir, also delivered remarks at the event. President Ali was joined by Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and other government representatives. (Office of the President)

The Brown’s Catchment Pond in St Philip, Barbados (Office of the President photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Oil climbs above $121 a barrel as China eases restrictions, EU meets

(Reuters) OIL prices climbed above $121 a barrel on Monday, hitting a two-month high as China eased COVID-19 restrictions and traders priced in expectations that the European Union (EU) will eventually reach an agreement to ban Russian oil imports. Trading activity was muted due to a public holiday in the United States. The Brent crude futures contract for July, which will expire on Tu e s d a y, s e t t l e d u p $2.24, or 1.9 per cent, at $121.67 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $1.99, or 1.7 per cent, to $117.06 a barrel, extending solid gains made last week. “One reason being cited for this is the imminent lifting of coronavirus restrictions in Shanghai, which is sparking hopes that oil demand will pick up again in China,” analysts at Commerzbank said in a note to clients. Shanghai announced an end to its two-monthlong COVID-19 lockdown, and will allow the vast majority of people in China’s largest city to leave their homes and drive their cars from

Wednesday. Meanwhile, the EU is meeting on Monday and Tuesday to discuss a sixth package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation.” “Europe has been haggling about this for the better part of a month, but increasingly the market is pricing (additional sanctions) in as a risk,” Daniel Ghali, senior commodity strategist at TD Securities in Toronto, said. EU countries failed to agree on a Russian oil import ban despite last-minute haggling before the summit got under way in Brussels. But leaders of the 27 EU countries will agree in principle to an oil embargo, a draft of their summit conclusions showed, while leaving the practical details and hard decisions until later. Any further ban on Russian oil would tighten a crude market already strained for supply amid rising demand for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel ahead of the peak summer demand season in the United States and Europe. Underscoring market tightness, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and

Storage tanks are seen at Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles Refinery, which processes domestic and imported crude oil, in Carson, California, U.S (REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo) allies including Russia, a group dubbed OPEC+, are set to rebuff Western calls to speed up increases in output when they meet on Thursday. They will stick to existing plans to raise their July output target by 432,000 barrels per day, six OPEC+ sources told Reuters.

Jamaica: Restructuring... FROM PAGE 13 add: “Unless farmers are able to ally themselves with other areas of the coffee value chain (particularly the export or resale of green or roasted coffee) or increase their production to gain greater economies of scale, then it may be more feasible to focus on diversification to other crops or livestock.” They estimate a market correction to stable prices of approximately $7,000 (US$53.5) and $4,000 (US$30.5) per

60-pound box for JBM and non-Blue Mountain coffee cherries should occur over the next few years. But, even at these prices, they state, “It remains very clear that Jamaica’s current small farmers engaged in coffee production, those cultivating under 0.4 hectare or one acre of coffee, will be engaging in a money-losing proposition depending solely on coffee.” Mighty and Granco say farmers, meanwhile, want better prices for

cherry coffee, but noted: “However, this ignores the reality that there is a decreasing demand for JBM and other Jamaican coffees from their primary market of Japan.” They note that efforts that have been made to expand the market for Jamaican coffee in the USA, Europe, and Asia must be reinforced in order to viably increase the prices paid per box, and consequently, the income that can be received by the producer.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 31, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 31, 2022

Jamaican track icons honoured with Lifetime Achievement awards in New York JAMAICAN track and field icons, Olympians Veronica Campbell-Brown and Donald Quarrie were honoured by Comets Club International, formerly the Montego Bay Comets Club at a gala in New York on Saturday, May 28. At the lavish event held at the Antun’s Banquet Hall in Queens Village, New York, both former athletes received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their respective contributions to the sport of athletics and their enduring legacies are two of the island's greatest ever. Campbell-Brown, who retired in 2021 and who celebrated her 40th birthday on May 15, is the most decorated female athlete from Jamaica, winning eight Olympic medals including three gold. She won two of those gold medals over 200m in Athens

in 2004 and Beijing in 2008, respectively. She also won 11 World Championships medals, including three gold medals – the 100m in Osaka, Japan in 2007, 200m in Daegu, South Korea in 2011 and a 4x100m relay gold in 2015. “Thanks to the Comets Club International for honouring me alongside the legendary sprints athlete Mr Donald Quarrie with the Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding service to athletics. I am humbled by the recognition,” said Campbell-Brown, who is pregnant with her second child with her husband, Omar. Quarrie, 71, won 200m gold and 100m silver at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, as well as a bronze in the 200m in Moscow in 1980. He is a six-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist,

winning the sprint double in 1970 and 1974 and the 100m in 1978. On retirement from the sport, he served as an administrator with the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) for many years and was a member of Jamaica's delegation to global championships. Like Campbell-Brown, Quarrie was moved by the occasion during which the gathering watched in delight a four-minute video of highlights of some of his races from the Montreal Olympics, Pan Am and Commonwealth Games was shown to the gathering. Founder and executive director of the Montego Bay Comets and Comets International Aubrey Campbell said the event went according to plan with great support from the diaspora and the honou-

Sarwan quits WICB selection... et Board senior selection committee, a role he subsequently quit to avoid any conflict of interests. Along with men’s chairman of selectors the Most Honorable Desmond Haynes and head coach Phil Simmons, Sarwan was expected to oversee selection of squads for key tournaments like the 2022 and 2024

Twenty20 World Cups and next year’s 50-over World Cup. Under the new panel’s watch, West Indies beat England 1-0 in a three-Test series in the Caribbean back in March and Sarwan’s last involvement would have come in choosing the OneDay International squads for the ongoing tour of the

(From back page)

Netherlands and upcoming series against Pakistan. CWI said it would proceed quickly with filling the vacant post. “CWI will initiate a recruitment process for the selector role as soon as possible through a competitive process, based on established criteria,” the board said in a statement.

UEFA commissions report into... with Liverpool going on to lose 1-0 to Spanish champions Real Madrid. France's interior and sports ministers acknowledged difficulties in managing crowds at the final but have been pointing blame for the chaos at fans with fake tickets and local youths trying to force their way into the stadium. However, a spokesperson for France's independent police commissioner's union (SICP), Mathieu Valet, told the BBC's Newshour that "supporters without tickets or with fake tickets were not the main problem". "It's clear that we needed more police - we didn't have enough on the ground," he said. On Sunday, Liverpool called for an investigation into the "unacceptable is-

sues" faced by fans before the match. Many claimed they had been at the stadium hours before kick-off but were

American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Credit Suspended Race 2 Moped Dennis Race 3 Where Ya Goin Owen Race 4 Dr Lloyd Race 5 Colormepazzi Race 6 Father Walsh Race 7 Invaluable Will Race 8 Battle Man South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:25 hrs Colour Coded 09:00 hrs Safoshi 09:35 hrs Wondering

rees themselves were very gracious in the acceptance speeches. “Donald, of course, pointed out that they are seen on television and in stadiums, but over dinner and in conversation, being honoured made him feel appreciated,” Campbell disclosed. Campbell, a 3000m bronze medallist at the ISSA Boys Championships in 1977, said Campbell-Brown noted in her acceptance speech that you should not let failure prevent you from achieving success and that despite humble beginnings, you can reach for the stars. Also at the gala, former Edwin Allen athlete Jodi-Ann Dixon, now a student at Hinds Junior College in Mississippi was the first recipient of the organisation’s Rising Star Award. (Sportsmax)

“The aim will be to complete this process in the shortest possible time so that a suitable candidate can complete the selection panel in carrying out its duties.” Sarwan, a stylish righthander, played 81 Tests scoring 5 842 and 15 centuries, and featured in 181 ODIs, gathering 5,804 runs with five hundreds. (From back page)

stopped from getting into the ground. UK sports minister Nigel Huddleston said he was "very concerned about the

upsetting scenes", while Reds defender Andy Robertson said the organisation of the match was a "shambles". (BBC Sport)

Star 10:05 hrs Here Is The Tiger

11:40 hrs Definite Force

English Racing Tips Leicester 08:20 hrs New Definition 08:55 hrs Show Request 09:30 hrs Prayer Matt 10:00Dembe 10:30 hrs Bastogne 11:00 hrs Quick Change 11:30 hrs Woofton’sun Newbury 08:35 hrs Seductive Power 09:10 hrs Bresson 09:40 hrs Eternal Pearl 10:10 hrs Merlin’s Beard 10:40 hrs Falesia Beach 11:10 hrs Alotaibi

Brighton 09:20 hrs shamshon 09:50 hrs Bear To Dream 10:20 hrs Touchwood 10:50 hrs Victoty Star 11:20 hrs De Vegas Kid 11:55 hrs Wiley Post Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 12:15 hrs Yester 12:45 hrs All In The Mind 13:15 hrs Mehmar 13:45 hrs Gobi Star 14:15 hrs Moss Tucker 14:45 hrs Lariat 15:20 hrs My Mate Mozzie

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 31, 2022

Bavuma puts spotlight on 'inclusive leadership group' as SA look to move on …sheds light on the biggest talking points surrounding South African cricket

By Firdose Moonda SOUTH Africa men's national team are ready to move on from controversies and display their culture of "inclusiveness," according to white-ball captain Temba Bavuma, as they approach a bumper 20222023 season. Two-and-a-half years of scrutiny on the team environment, which included their response to the Black

Lives Matter movement and the conduct of head coach Mark Boucher, culminated in disciplinary charges against Boucher being dropped and the path cleared for him to take the team to the 2023 World Cup. And Bavuma is excited at the start of what is a bumper 18 months for South Africa. "It's inclusive," Bavuma told ESPNcricinfo of the team culture, ahead of the team's departure for India

for the T20I series. "When I say inclusive, I look at the leadership squad. You've got guys from different backgrounds, who come in with their different perspectives and guys are able to sit down on a table and share their ideas and whatever decision we make, it's an encompassing one. It's one that accommodates everyone. It's not one that is biased to one specific group." That may explain why

Temba Bavuma takes a knee in an ODI (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

South Africa did not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to anti-racism gestures until the CSA board forced them to collectively take a knee at the T20 World Cup. For the five months before that, the squad had the choice between taking a knee, raising a fist or standing to attention, which the board interpreted as creating "an unintended perception of disparity or lack of support for the initiative," but which Bavuma explained was the result of attempts to understand each other. "For the team, the biggest thing for me was the conversations we had," he said. "It was more about putting aside your perspective and being able to have empathy for the

other guy; listening to what the other guy says. You don't necessarily have to agree with what he says, but it's just understanding where he comes from and having that empathy.” While within the squad, players accepted each other's decisions on gestures, outside of it, especially across the globe where South Africa's recent racially-segregated past is fresh in the minds of many, it was not. And Bavuma could see that point of view too. "Common sense is common sense. What is wrong is wrong. What is right is right. But at least you kind of understand what informs a certain guy in his decision making or his attitude. That was the biggest thing. Taking the knee, Bavuma said, was needed though he added that the significance of the gesture has been diluted over time. "It probably got to a point where, without being disrespectful to it, it was a bit more about optics more than anything. But I think within the team, there was a lot of growth, a lot of respect that guys started having within each other." There has been no directive for the team to take a knee this season. Instead, South Africa's

focus is extending their idea of inclusivity to their demand for excellence and their hope for achieving big things across tours to India, England and Australia. "We are pushing each other, we are pushing the boundaries and we are trying to get better and better. There's openness in the team. If I think back at the conversations that were had, they were sensitive conversations, and I don't think any group would be having those types of conversations and still be in a place where they want to play for each other on the field. It's an environment where it's conducive for guys to play well and I'd like to think the younger guys that are coming in, feel as if they can come in and be themselves but most importantly, perform." And that focus on what happens on the field, extends to Boucher too. "I haven't been with the wider group but I would like to think there would be relief that now we are in a space where we can 100% focus on the cricket. I am sure the coach as well will look forward to being allowed to focus on his main job of coaching and being given the necessary support that he requires as a coach." (Cricinfo)

Boston Celtics beat Miami Heat to reach NBA Finals for first time since 2010 THE Boston Celtics reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years as they held off a determined Miami Heat for a 100-96 game-seven win. Boston failed in their last five play-off runs and almost did so again as Jimmy Butler missed a late three-point attempt which would have given Miami the lead. But the Celtics go on to face the Golden State Warriors in the Finals. "This is a typical Celtics win," coach Ime Udoka said. "We fought through a lot of adversity this year. We're a resilient group and tonight seemed to signify our season. We can't ever

Series MVP Jayson Tatum starred for the Celtics with 26 points

seem to shut the door and have to grind it out." The Celtics led by 17 at one point in the second quarter but a fourth-quarter flurry helped Miami repeatedly reduce the advantage.

After Butler's missed three-pointer, Boston's Marcus Smart - who had 24 points and nine rebounds in total - made two free throws to seal the long-awaited finals place. Series MVP Jayson Tatum starred for the Celtics with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Jaylen Brown had 24 points. Tatum said: "The road we took to get here, not a lot of people believed in us. We took the toughest route and it worked out." Boston face the Warriors, who beat the Dallas Mavericks to earn their place in the finals, for game one in San Francisco on Thursday. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 31, 2022

Nicholas Pooran: 'I want to talk the talk and walk the walk' ...Windies's new white-ball captain said that matches against Netherlands are an opportunity for some of the youngsters to grab their spots

NICHOLAS Pooran, West Indies's new whiteball captain, has said he will be an "instinctive" leader ahead of his first assignment in the role on a permanent basis, a three-match ODI series against Netherlands in Amsterdam starting today. Pooran, 26, has previously captained West Indies in two ODIs and eight T20Is and Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL, and was confirmed as Kieron Pollard's successor earlier this month after serving as his deputy in recent years. "I'll try my best to lead from the front," Pooran said at a virtual press conference on Friday. "I want to talk the talk and walk the walk. "I'm very instinctive. On the field, I like to make decisions on how I feel. My team-mates know I'm very instinctive when I'm batting as well. As a captain, I want to approach it in the same way. "[I want to] live in the present, try to be the best version of myself, try to be the best leader I can be. It's as simple as that." West Indies have picked an inexperienced squad for this series and the upcoming tour of Pakistan, with Jason Holder (rested) the most high-profile absentee. Pooran said that the tours would ensure younger players are given opportunities but downplayed the idea that playing the Netherlands -- who have only one of their county-contracted players available this week - rep-

we need to really work

Nicholas Pooran has led West Indies in two ODIs and eight T20Is so far (Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty Images)

resented an ideal introduction to the full-time role. "I wouldn't say there's a right time," he said. "We want to win games, it doesn't matter who the opposition is. We're not looking at it like that. The time is now and that's all we need to focus on. "Everyone deserves an opportunity at some point in their career and it's really good that the younger players are getting an opportunity now. It's a good opportunity for them to showcase their talent and try to grab a spot in the team. "It has been good. I think a lot of guys are happy in terms of it being free here and Amsterdam is a beautiful place. We're looking forward to the opportunity to play some cricket and feed off each other." Availability has been a constant concern for West Indies in the era of franchise leagues and the management of freelance players could be a defining trait of Pooran's reign. On the eve of the series opener, Pooran confirmed

that fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, fresh off a title-winning IPL stint with Gujarat Titans, would be in "contention for selection" for Tuesday's ODI. "Yes, Alzarri arrives today," Pooran said. "He would be in contention for selection for tomorrow's game. Hopefully, he's ready to play and we can have him on the park. Hopefully, he can bring in his IPL experience across as well for us." Pooran had earlier added that Sunil Narine's availability for the T20 World Cup later this year was a matter for him to discuss directly with the selectors. "What Sunil wants, I'm in no control of that," he said. "But that's a conversation between him and the selectors - what his aspirations are when it comes to West Indies cricket. "The end goal is to win cricket games and to win tournaments. But obviously there is a process behind that. It's a new time for us. I believe that we have a lot of talented players with us here but

hard and come up with

the goods." (Cricinfo)

Hardik's next goal after five IPL titles: 'To win the World Cup for India no matter what' Five IPL finals, five titles. One, now, as a captain in his first season with a team making its debut and representing his home state of Gujarat. Player-of-the-Match performance in that final, including the wickets of the big three of the opposition. Yet, Hardik Pandya's bigger goal in life is to win a World Cup with India. Moments after he collected the winners' trophy and finished his other obligations, Hardik was asked what his short-term and longterm goals were now that he had completed a successful comeback after injury troubles had taken away his bowling, and consequently his place in the Indian sides. "Absolutely to win the World Cup for India no matter what happens," Hardik said. "I am going to give it everything I have. Always been that kind of guy, to put the team first. For me the goal will be simple: to make sure my team gets it the most. "Playing for India has always been kind of dream come true no matter how many games I have played. It has always been a pleasure for me to represent the country. The kind of love and support I have got, it is only from the Indian team point of view. Long term, short term, I want to win the World Cup

Skipper Hardik Pandya celebrates with the IPL trophy after Gujarat Titans beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in the final on Sunday

no matter what happens." Hardik has come close to winning a world title with India on three occasions, but all three ended in heartbreak. In 2016, his final over against Bangladesh carried India into the semi-final of the T20 World Cup but India lost to West Indies. In the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan next year, he displayed some of his hitting prowess in a scarcely believable innings, but it was too little and too late. In the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, Hardik and Rishabh Pant carried out a mini rescue after three early wickets, but New Zealand eventually prevailed.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday May 30, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Gujarat Titans (defeated RR by 7 wickets) (2) Jos Butler (RR) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which team won Qualifier 1 in IPL 2022? (2) Which team won the Eliminator game in IPL 2022? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

In the IPL, though, Hardik has won every time he has got to the playoffs, four times with Mumbai Indians and now with Gujarat Titans. Asked if this was a little extra special, Hardik said yes, but only just. "Obviously, this will be a little special because I have won it as a captain," he said. "The four that I have won before this are equally special too. Winning IPL is always special. I consider myself very lucky that I have played five finals and have lifted the trophy five times. Obviously this will leave a legacy because we are a new franchise, playing for the first time, and we are champions in the first season. But the four that I have won before this were equally special." It will also come as personal vindication for him and coach Ashish Nehra, who invested more energy in putting together a strong bowling unit. They went into every match with six frontline options - if you count Hardik the bowler - and Rahul Tewatia as a seventh back-up bowler. Hardik said this was their philosophy from pretty early on. "Specifically, we both [Nehra and he] lean towards the bowlers," Hardik said. "People say T20 is a batters' game but I have always maintained that bowlers win you matches. Because if the batters don't get a par score, if you have a gun bowling line-up, the bowlers can pull things back. We have always given ten runs fewer [than par]. Even when others have conceded 190, we have gone for ten fewer. Those ten runs win or lose you matches in the bigger picture. "For me and Ashu pa [Nehra], when we were starting, we wanted to create a strong and experienced bowling unit. So that even if there are times when batters don't click, you can pull back with the bowling." (Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 31, 2022

Medvedev and Tsitsipas suffer shock exits at Roland Garros Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered surprise fourth-round exits on a day of shocks in the men's draw at the French Open. World number two Medvedev was thrashed 6-2 6-3 6-2 by Croatian Marin Cilic in a one-sided evening session. Fourth seed Tsitsipas lost in four sets as teenager Holger Rune reached a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final. The Dane, 19, punished a lacklustre display from the 2021 Roland Garros runner-up to triumph 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-4. Rune meets Casper Ruud in the last eight after the Norwegian also won in four sets, beating Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. Cilic, 33, next faces seventh seed Andrey Rublev, who progressed to the quarter-finals after Jannik Sinner retired while trailing 1-6 6-4 2-0. Former US Open champion Cilic, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2014, rolled back the years, taking

Marin Cilic had lost all three of his previous meetings with Daniil Medvedev

just an hour and 47 minutes to stun second seed Medvedev under the lights on Court Philippe-Chatrier. He won 90% of points on his dominant first serve and did not face a single break point, while the Russian's serve, in contrast, was

breached five times. "It was one of the best matches of my career from start to finish," Cilic said in his on-court interview. "An absolutely fantastic match from the first point to the last. "When I'm playing my best tennis, everything is working, serve, return, movement and these last 15 days have been great for me, with some very consistent tennis. "Against guys like Daniil you have to be able to sustain levels like that throughout the match so I was definitely focused to keep going and I am extremely pleased. "I try to always give my best even if it's not going my way. If you are persistent with your training, good things come your way and it is such a pleasure to be playing like this." Medvedev's departure leaves 20th seed Cilic as the only Grand Slam winner remaining in the bottom half of the draw - with Rublev, Ruud and Rune having never previously reached a semi-final at a major. (BBC Sport)

West Indies Championship

Pride, Hurricanes and Eagles to battle for title in final round PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Defending champions Barbados Pride have maintained their position at the top of the West Indies Championship table, but they have Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Guyana Harpy Eagles on their heels going into the fifth and final round which starts tomorrow. Pride, who convincingly defeated host side Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by an innings and 22 runs in their fourth-round match, are on 67 points from three wins and one loss. Their final game will be against the bottom-ofthe-table Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Diego Martin Sports Complex. The second-placed Hurricanes, who backed up their impressive third-round victory over Red Force with a victory over Volcanoes, have a similar win-loss record to Pride. But with the Barbados side edging them out in pace bowling points, they are of

Barbados Pride are leading going into the final round

65.4 points. Hurricanes will face Jamaica Scorpions at Brian Lara Academy in their last tournament encounter. Harpy Eagles, whose match with Scorpions ended in a high-scoring draw in round four, are still in with a shot at the title on 51.2 points. Despite producing an excellent batting performance to score 584 in the first innings – the highest total of this year’s championship – they were unable to get wickets fast enough to force a victory against the Jamaican side. Eagles will play Red

Force at the Queen’s Park Oval. Red Force (47.2 points), Scorpions (37.8 points), and the winless Volcanoes who garnered their 21 points from pace bowling, batting bonus, and bowling bonus points, will be playing for pride as none of them have a chance of dethroning Pride at this stage. Red Force, who were in third position on 43 points going into the penultimate round, had put themselves out of contention with their loss to Pride.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 31, 2022

Berbice women win inter-county U-19 T20 tournament

The victorious Berbice Under-19 team

BERBICE continued their dominance of inter-county cricket when they won the Under-19 T20 inter-county tournament over the weekend. All-rounder, Realeanna Grimmond was the key player as she led the Berbicians to a 99-run victory over Demerara Women at the Everest Cricket club. Berbice opted to bat and posted a challenging 182-1 as Tia Issacs and Grimmond added 107 before Issacs was removed by Ciana Barkoye for 31 with four fours off 48 balls. Grimmond and Ashmini Munisar continued to pile on the runs as they put on an unbroken second wicket stand of 75. Grimmond struck 13 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 91 off 63 balls while Munisar made 30 not out with three fours and one six off 18 balls. Barkoye had

Realeanna Grimmond accepts the player of the match prize from Anthony D’ Andrade

1-37. Demerara were put on the back-foot as they were reduced to 18-2,. as Grimmond came with the golden arm as she bowled Sarah Amin (09) and had Melanie Dover caught for 10. Demerara were eventually bowled out for 87

in 18.1 overs. Naomi Barkoye was left not out on 10 as Darshanie Subramanie claimed 3-3, Hardat had 2-9 and Grimmond bagged 2-10. The tournament was held in preparation for the Regional Under-19 tournament to be held in Trinidad in July.

Record-breaking jockey Lester Piggott dies at 86 LEGENDARY jockey, Lester Piggott, who won the Derby a record nine times, has died at age 86. The Englishman won 30 British Classic races in a career which yielded 4,493 winners. He also had 116 Royal Ascot victories and was named champion jockey 11 times between 1960 and 1982. "Sadly we can confirm that Lester died peacefully in Switzerland this morning," said his son-in-law and Derby-winning trainer William Haggas. Piggott was admitted to hospital in Switzerland, where he lived, last week. His first winner came at age 12 at Haydock, in 1948, and his last at the same track in 1994. He retired for a final time in 1995. Piggott, who was partially deaf, won the Derby at Epsom for the first time in 1954 aboard ‘Never Say Die’. His ninth win came on Teenoso in 1983. He was jailed for three years in 1987 after being found guilty of tax fraud of more than £3M. With time off for good behaviour, he served a year and a day in prison. Nicknamed the Long Fellow, he was tall for a Flat jockey at nearly 5ft 8in and weighed as little as 8st 5lb. Piggott's other Derby

Lester Piggott pioneered a riding style where he perched high above the saddle

winners included Crepello, Sir Ivor and The Minstrel. He also rode Nijinsky, the last horse to win the British Triple Crown - the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger - in 1970. Only 12 days after coming out of retirement for a second time in 1990, a 54-year-old Piggott guided Royal Academy to victory in one of the world's richest races, the $1M Breeders' Cup Mile. A 'hero' and 'legend' Dettori and Carson pay tribute Three-time champion Frankie Dettori paid tribute to his "hero", saying the news had come as "a shock". "He has been part of our lives forever really”, Dettori said. "Lester was a hero of mine and a good friend. The impact he has made in racing, on all of us, is second to none. "I will always try to re-

member him for the good things and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and his many friends. "He was a legend. We always tried to aspire to be like him and none of us can do it. He will never be forgotten." Four-time Derby winner Willie Carson, who, along with Piggott dominated racing in the 1970s and 80s, said: "Lester has been part of my life ever since I came into racing. He was an iconic figure in the horse racing world. He is a legend. "He was a person who made us all better - because we had to be better to beat him. We had to up our game to compete with him because he was so magical on top of a horse." Carson said Piggott "never seemed to be under any pressure", adding that he had been hopeful Piggott would be well enough to leave hospital soon. (BBC Sport)

JOA president Christopher Samuda flanked by the honourees, Veronica Campbell-Brown at right and Donald Quarrie (left) in New York on Saturday night. Mr Samuda was guest speaker at the gala hosted by Comets Club International

Jamaican track icons honoured with Lifetime Achievement 23 awards in New York PAGE

Sarwan quits WICB selection panel after five months Ramnaresh Sarwan served just 5 months into his 2-½ year term

Liverpool fans were caught up in chaotic scenes (Image: GETTY)

UEFA commissions report into Champions League final ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Ramnaresh Sarwan has quit abruptly as a men’s senior selector just five months into his 2-½ year term, leaving Cricket West Indies (CWI) scrambling to find a replacement. The former West Indies captain, who also sat on the youth selection panels, was appointed last January and was expected to serve in the role until June 24 but CWI said Monday he had resigned his post “due to personal reasons Robert Haynes, the current chief men’s youth selector, will be the interim replace-

ment for Sarwan until CWI completes the search for a permanent candidate. “Given the depth of his experience in the game, we are disappointed that Ramnaresh is unable to continue in the role of selector, but we fully understand and accept his reasons,” said director of cricket, Jimmy Adams. “We are grateful for his contribution during the period he was involved and hope that he will be able to contribute to West Indies Cricket in some capacity in the future.” Prior to joining the CWI panel, the 41-year-old Sarwan was chairman of the Guyana’s Crick- TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

UEFA has commissioned an independent report into the scenes outside the ground that delayed Saturday's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid. Kick-off at the Stade de France in Paris was delayed by over half an hour with Liverpool ticket-holders seen waiting in huge queues, and French police later using tear gas on crowds. On Monday, French authorities complained of what they called "industrial-scale" ticket fraud amid a row over the game's policing. UEFA said a "comprehensive review" would examine a number of factors.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

These include the decision-making, responsibility and behaviour of all parties involved in the final, it added. UEFA said in a statement: "Evidence will be gathered from all relevant parties and the findings of the independent report will be made public once completed. Upon receipt of the findings, Uefa will evaluate the next steps." The report will be independently compiled and Dr Tiago Brandao Rodrigues from Portugal will lead the production of the review. UEFA initially blamed the "late arrival" of fans for the problems, delaying kick-off by 36 minutes, TURN TO PAGE 23 ► TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022